The Royal Canadian Artillery
Vancouver, BC
1942
Vancouver, BC
1942
as at 21 November 2020
More info to follow.
More info to follow.
New Artillery Officers
The Sun and Province newspapers provide a list f the latest artillery officers to graduate from BC. Second Lieutenants N C Gould, R R Johnson, E B Clarke, F C Garrett, E Green, C A Buchanan, A F Cade, T W Townrow, G L Vincent. Unfortunately they do not provide unit names. How many of them were members of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA?
The Sun and Province newspapers provide a list f the latest artillery officers to graduate from BC. Second Lieutenants N C Gould, R R Johnson, E B Clarke, F C Garrett, E Green, C A Buchanan, A F Cade, T W Townrow, G L Vincent. Unfortunately they do not provide unit names. How many of them were members of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA?
Victory Loan parade on Burrard Street
105mm Howitzer
Popular Mechanics features the new 105mm howitzer that was replacing the 75mm in the US Field Artillery.
Popular Mechanics features the new 105mm howitzer that was replacing the 75mm in the US Field Artillery.
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Christmas Greetings
Colonel and Mrs George Walkem attend a rehearsal prior to sending Christmas greetings to their son Major Richard Walkem. Major Walkem would command the 43rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment after the war. |
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Major Dick Diespecker
Major Diespecker was a former member of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA NPAM who went Active Force in 1940. He subsequently became a 'radio liaison officer' and wrote the following "Prayer for Victory" which was broadcast around the world. A brochure was produced for distribution and members will note the military origins of the photographs.
Major Diespecker was a former member of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA NPAM who went Active Force in 1940. He subsequently became a 'radio liaison officer' and wrote the following "Prayer for Victory" which was broadcast around the world. A brochure was produced for distribution and members will note the military origins of the photographs.
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Understanding Our Times Mr Al Sweet, later to be Bandmaster, is noted as the soloist at the Grandview Baptist. |
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Henry Stewart (Stew) Cameron (1912-1970) spent some time in the United States in 1936, working for Disney Studios, though soon returned to Calgary and became the Calgary Herald’s first staff cartoonist. In 1942, Stew enlisted in the army, serving with the Public Relations Office for Military District No. 13, where he drew cartoons on military life published in army paper Khaki and in the Calgary Herald. From his experiences in basic training, he produced the cartoon set Basic Training Daze. While not specifically related to the Artillery, the Gunners would certainly have been able to relate to the experiences depicted in his cartoons. Mind you, the last cartoon does refer to a "Battery," maybe there is a greater connection there than we know!
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Members in the News
Lieutenant Ashley Shatford is in the news due to a conversation he had with his students on mobilization. |
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Obituaries
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Gunner Joseph Zenon Leon Aime Alain
Funeral services for Gnr. Aime Alain were held in the Roman Catholic Church in Maillardville when mass was celebrated by Rev. Father F.X. Teck. Internment took place in St. Peter’s Cemetery with Columbia Funeral Service in charge. Gnr. Alain, 19 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian T. Alain, 1125 Brunette street, New Westminster, was drowned last week when a rowboat capsized off Stanley Park. Gnr. Alain had joined the army a year ago. He was a former student of Coquitlam High School. His only brother, Sapper Roger Alain, is serving overseas. Gnr. Alain was born in St. Paul, Alta. |
Bombardier James Charters
Taken on strength 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA CASF on 6 June 1940 and posted to 10th Anti-Aircraft Battery, attached Area Headquarters for duty and discipline 14 Jul 1940, taken on strength 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RCA CASF 1 Sep 1940, to be Acting Lance Bombardier without pay 6 Dec 1940, granted furlough and Christmas Leave 19 Dec 1940, embarked Halifax 5 Apr 1941, disembarked Guroch 19 Apr 1941, landing leave from 24 to 29 Apr 1941, confirmed Lance Bombardier with pay 1 Jun 1941, to be Acting Bombardier 3 Jun 1942, embarked for France (Jubilee Operation) 18 Aug 1942, presumed killed in action 19 Aug 1942, commemorated on the Brookwood Memorial Surrey England.
Awarded the 1939/1945 Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.
Taken on strength 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA CASF on 6 June 1940 and posted to 10th Anti-Aircraft Battery, attached Area Headquarters for duty and discipline 14 Jul 1940, taken on strength 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RCA CASF 1 Sep 1940, to be Acting Lance Bombardier without pay 6 Dec 1940, granted furlough and Christmas Leave 19 Dec 1940, embarked Halifax 5 Apr 1941, disembarked Guroch 19 Apr 1941, landing leave from 24 to 29 Apr 1941, confirmed Lance Bombardier with pay 1 Jun 1941, to be Acting Bombardier 3 Jun 1942, embarked for France (Jubilee Operation) 18 Aug 1942, presumed killed in action 19 Aug 1942, commemorated on the Brookwood Memorial Surrey England.
Awarded the 1939/1945 Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.
Gunner Joseph Camile Dessureault
Gunner Dessureault was a Private in the Lincoln Regiment from 1933 to 1935 before being taken on strength as a Gunner with 31st Heavy Battery 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade on 26 June 1940. He subsequently transferred to 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 3 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA on 5 September 1940 and was reported missing from Combined Operations (Dieppe) on 22 August 1942. He was declared killed in action effective 19 August 1942 on 14 June 1943 and is buried at Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery.
Gunner Dessureault was a Private in the Lincoln Regiment from 1933 to 1935 before being taken on strength as a Gunner with 31st Heavy Battery 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade on 26 June 1940. He subsequently transferred to 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 3 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA on 5 September 1940 and was reported missing from Combined Operations (Dieppe) on 22 August 1942. He was declared killed in action effective 19 August 1942 on 14 June 1943 and is buried at Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery.
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Second Lieutenant Frederick Corson Holden
Funeral service for 2nd-Lieut. Frederick Corson Holden, aged 51, will be conducted from Hayward’s B.C. Funeral Chapel at 2 Saturday. Rev. Geo. Biddle will officiate. Cremation at Royal Oak. Funeral Notice - The funeral of the late Comrade Frederick Corson Holden, Co. Sergeant-Major 88th Regiment, C.M., and 2nd Lieutenant of Lancashire and Cheshire, R.G.A., will take place Saturday afternoon, June 13, at 2 from Hayward’s Funeral Parlors. Members of Britannia Branch No. 7, Canadian Legion, B.E.S.L are requested to attend. See more... |
Lance Bombardier George Allen Northgraves
Taken on strength 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery Canadian Active Service Force 25 Jun 1940, posted to 11 Anti-Aircraft Battery Canadian Active Service Force 25 June 1940, posted 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Canadian Active Service Force 1 Sep 1940, taken on strength Canadian Army (Overseas) 6 Apr 1941, 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery 29 April 1941, promoted Acting Lance Bombardier 1 Dec 1941, proceeded to 49 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Air Recognition Spotters Course 18 Jan 1942, appointed Acting Bombardier 3 Jun 1942, killed in action Dieppe 19 Aug 1942.
Awarded the 1939/1945 Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.
Taken on strength 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery Canadian Active Service Force 25 Jun 1940, posted to 11 Anti-Aircraft Battery Canadian Active Service Force 25 June 1940, posted 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Canadian Active Service Force 1 Sep 1940, taken on strength Canadian Army (Overseas) 6 Apr 1941, 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery 29 April 1941, promoted Acting Lance Bombardier 1 Dec 1941, proceeded to 49 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Air Recognition Spotters Course 18 Jan 1942, appointed Acting Bombardier 3 Jun 1942, killed in action Dieppe 19 Aug 1942.
Awarded the 1939/1945 Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.
Captain Henry Arthur Slatter
A well-known Vancouver Bandmaster died Wednesday in the person of Henry Arthur Slatter, 76 of 1047 Melville Street, brother of Captain John Slatter, of Toronto, one of Canada's leading bandmasters.
Henry was born in London, where he was a member of the famous Coldstream Guards. In 1912 he came to Vancouver to take over the bandmastership of the 72nd Highlanders, and when war broke out went overseas with them.
After the war he retrned to Vancouver, and had resided here ever since. He had subsequently been master of various bands, including the Elks Lodge Band.
Until a few years ago Mr Slatter was also engaged in instructing various Indian brass bands up and down the British Columbia coast.
A well-known Vancouver Bandmaster died Wednesday in the person of Henry Arthur Slatter, 76 of 1047 Melville Street, brother of Captain John Slatter, of Toronto, one of Canada's leading bandmasters.
Henry was born in London, where he was a member of the famous Coldstream Guards. In 1912 he came to Vancouver to take over the bandmastership of the 72nd Highlanders, and when war broke out went overseas with them.
After the war he retrned to Vancouver, and had resided here ever since. He had subsequently been master of various bands, including the Elks Lodge Band.
Until a few years ago Mr Slatter was also engaged in instructing various Indian brass bands up and down the British Columbia coast.
Lists
The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page
The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page